The Manager's Question and Answer Book

AORN Journal,  Feb, 2007  by Janet Tidwell

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The Manager's Question and Answer Book Florence M. Stone 2003, 256 pages $17.95 soft cover

This book is a reference on a variety of topics for new or experienced managers. It is organized into 10 chapters, each of which is devoted to a specific management-related issue, including

* communication management;

* motivational management;

* conflict management;

* meetings management;

* recruitment, hiring, orientation, and retention;

* performance management;

* discipline and termination;

* team building;

* change management; and

* life and career skills.

The easy-to-read style of a question followed by a practical answer allows a reader to choose a topic and then find specific information related to that subject. All questions are answered succinctly, and for many questions, further information is then given in an expanded explanation. Each answer is based on the author's 30 years of experience as a consultant and authority on management.

The topics covered are a good representation of areas that managers, both new and experienced, may encounter and have problems with, and the questions asked and answered are a good cross-section of the issues or concerns most managers have. For example, the chapter on team building includes 19 questions and answers on issues such as why managers should try to build a team, how to deal with people who are not team players, building rapport with informal groups, and the most common mistakes managers make that undermine teams.

Each series of questions and answers covers the topic adequately but not in-depth; if a reader wants in-depth information about a subject, he or she should find other sources of information, such as articles or books specific to that management issue. Although some of the information is brief, it is still on-point and practical. The table of contents and index allow readers to find specific topics and information easily.

Overall, this book is entertaining and informative. It could easily be used as a reference book for first time or experienced managers. It also would be beneficial as additional reading for students in a health care management degree program.

This book is available from AMACOM, 1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019.

JANET TIDWELL

RN, MSN, MSHA, CNOR

DIRECTOR OF SURGICAL SERVICES

HENDERSONVILLE MEDICAL CENTER

HENDERSONVILLE, TENN

COPYRIGHT 2007 Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning